Another smokescreen from Roos

[Alec]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
I think Magic coming back may have more effect than we imagine. Last week a Tiger fan said to me that Richo back would free Ottens up - and see how that worked out. Magic back looks set to free Goodes up.

Bingo! And notice how quickly Goodes has zoomed back to starting in the centre against West Coast now MOL is back in the mix.

Schaubs returning will have a similar effect. He might not have much pace, but when he gets the ball to ground, that's when our speedy backline really takes over.

Key is: you really need someone that can stop a delivery in its tracks BEFORE you can rebound of the backline for a goal.

Dunks made Heuskus, Luff and co look very good doing just that.

That's what hurt us against Richmond. It didn't matter how many times we won it across the centre, when the Tigers somehow managed to get it to the Richardson it stuck far too many times.

I like what I've seen from James this year. It's been a bit of a steep learning curve the last couple of weeks, but with Schaubs back, and just that little bit more pressure of his and Craig's shoulders, we'll be far more effective, I'm sure.

It's not about giving up on what we currently have...it's all about complimenting it.

[Go Swannies]

The problem is that Schauble won't be back for three Swans weeks (and they are like dog years).

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by hemsleys
But hey, I wouldn't not complain if James bulked up over the pre-season.

I wonder what that would do to his hammies? I get the feeling that the increased power of the footballers these days is one reason for the increased number of hamstring problems.

[Captain]

I'm extremely worried about our backline for future years.

We have absoluelty no young guys comming through to take on key defensive roles.

LRT & Saddo were the big hopes, however it looks as though these two will never make CHB

Who else do we have? No one!!

We need to draft some serious muscle for the backline. Trouble is these days recruiting managers are more concerned with how fast players can run and how high they can jump rather than good old fashioned brawn.

[hammo]

Originally posted by lizz
He actually said the same thing well before the season even began

I thought he was talking about a gun midfielder???

What iwill be more important - midfielder or fullback??

[sharpie]

Originally posted by Captain
LRT & Saddo were the big hopes, however it looks as though these two will never make CHB

Whats the problem with LRT (apart from his current injury )? He hasnt yet even started really playing in a key defensive position. You gotta at least see what he's got before you write him off.

[Nico]

Remember when the pundits said pre-season that we perhaps played above ourselves and doubted whether they could back up this season.

There may be something in this, but not necessarily the playing above themselves theory, which I have never subscribed to.

It may be more that they put in a supreme effort and some players are both physically and mentally unable to do it 2 years running. Or it may take them some time into the season to tune in, after getting away to a great start while fresh. I said along with others that we needed a 5-10% improvement to go all the way. Right now we have dropped off 5-10%.

Other factors such as key play makers in Maxfield and Williams are a year older and Cressa going. It doesn't take much to tip the %'s the wrong way.

However, it is quite amazing how there are always clubs that turn their form round in the second half.

[Alec]

There were a lot of factors running in our favour last year. But
probably the most important was our fantastic luck with injuries. We had one of the most settled squads in the League last year...the machine was well oiled.

It wasn't until the death that the injuries started to mount with unreplaceable players falling over.

This year our squad is very unsettled. Hip flexors, Hammies, knees, dislocated thumbs you name it we've copped it.

Add to that a shortened pre-season interupting our preparation by a couple of weeks and it all makes for a rusty start.

Collingwood had probably the most settled side of all over the last two years and now look what a difference this season's injuries have made to them.

Still early days.